Saddle Pain

Jasondean0

I'm in training for the cyclosportive on 1st July, I'm riding a Secialized Tricross (changed tyres to Continental Ultra Gator Duraskin 25) and am riding regular 50 to 60 mile runs averaging 17.5 mph. But I was struggling to increase my distance due to pain in my backside and cramp in my toes so I changed my saddle to a Specialized Toupe Gel.
Did a 90-mile ride yesterday in 5 hrs with a 20 min half way food stop, it went well but again got cramp in the last 5 miles and I've lost temporary feeling of my manhood (knob, penis whatever you call yours [:I]). Is this due to poor seat position or did I jump in and get the wrong saddle.

foresthill

I tried the 'toupe' on my posh bike and felt the road go straight through me.

Swapped it for the Alias , cheaper - bit more padding and i'm sweet.

I do 50-70s and my legs ache but my arse doesn't

GB cycles told me I'm the first person who didn't suit a toupe so it's horsescourses

Unknown

oddly I changed from an SLR to a toupe - much much comfier on 4 hour rides..

I think a lot of saddle pain / problems are caused by the saddle being in the wrong position (forward/back &/or nose up and down), its worth taking at least an hour to set it up properly. Most performance saddles are made to be sat on in a very specific way/position.

But saying that its also personal choice....

Jasondean0

Thanks for the advice, I did try nose down a touch but found I had too much weight on my arms and shoulders so I adjusted it back a little and I found that was ok. But the saddle did change my riding position with more emphasis of sitting on the pelvis rather than the meat of your arse (that is if you have plenty like me). I'm thinking of lowering the saddle in case I'm over extending and it's affecting the blood supply and nerves to my knob.
If anyone else has any ideas I would appreciate your advice. Also if you're training around the Harwich, Tendring area please let me know if you want some company on your rides.

PhilBixby

I also think it's to do with positioning; I've got a non-gel Toupe and it's completely comfortable. Given the design, if it's positioned right, you really shouldn't be getting numb bits as your perineum should be in the "slot" in the saddle. Sounds like experimenting with pulling it a bit forward might be worthwhile, or even going the whole hog and getting a "Bikefit" done on you - saddle height, stem length etc will all have an effect on your posture and position on the saddle. Get it right and you should be able to ride all day, every day, without any pain Down There.

Phil B
Clifton CC York

Jasondean0

Many thanks for your advice Phil and I think your right I need to be assessed on my position. But I find it difficult to go back to the shop where I purchased the bike as I got the saddle elsewhere, due to the expense of good gear I find I have to shop around to get the most affordable price.
I need to be joining a local club and get good independent advice.

PhilBixby

I wouldn't worry about your lack of customer loyalty - most shops know we're all tarts. Plus, you spent a bike-worth with them, and they ought really to have an interest in your comfort. If they don't have the jig-and-computer Bikefit stuff it may be worth finding somewhere that does - it costs œ25 or similar but can be really helpful.

But yes - join a club too!

Phil

Jasondean0

Hi Phil
Thanks for the advice again, after a 50 mile ride this afternoon moving the saddle forwards helped but I will contact the shop and get a "bikefix" done and yes your right they've had plenty of cash out of me!
Also going to contact Colchester Rovers for help and advice, anyone out there a member?

Thanks

Jason

http://www.justgiving.com/jasoncycle

Unknown

I did my longest ride yesterday on my toupe(cos I got lost![:D][:I]) and was out for just under 6 hours. Saddle was fine, but then I have been using my last few rides to get the position spot on.

The only seat related problem I did have was that I forgot to put chami cream in my shorts and now have very red cheeks!

Jasondean0

Hope I've sorted it now, been into the shop and we've tipped the saddle forward and raised the post so that should sort out the pain (may have to get shorter stem). Also purchased new insoles for my Specialized shoes, with raised arches so my feet are not flattening in the shoes and I've moved the cleats back on the shoes so I'm not putting too much pressure through the ball of my foot.
Hope this all works and thanks a lot for all the advice.

http://www.justgiving.com/jasoncycle

Unknown

I thought the pressure was supposed to go through the ball of your foot??!!

Jasondean0

Yes but not when I had the cleat at the front of its adjustment and I was curling my toes to put pressure down through the peddle.
Hope it work!

http://www.justgiving.com/jasoncycle

David167

With regards to saddle pain and numbness in the nether region, I've tried 3 different saddles, changed position of the saddle, bars, stem, seatpost etc..over several months and for me at least the numbness has remained. I do believe that, for me at least, the only answer is to change position on the bike frequently, get off the saddle regularly and having done so on a 50mile ride on Sunday, I have virtually eliminated the problem.

Some Pics

PhilBixby

Jason - glad to hear the shop has been helpful; don't be shy about going back to them if it needs further teaking. They should, I reckon, swap the stem if needed - it's part of making sure the bike you bought from them is the right size, after all.

David - if you've got a saddle with a gap up the middle (like the Toupe) and if you're positioned on it right, so your perineum is over the gap, you really shouldn't get numb nuts. You might find the area under your sit bones will grumble at first, but nothing should be touching your perineum and hence nerves and blood-flow to your privates should be okay. I still get out of the saddle and stretch occasionally, but it's simply because sitting on the same (small) area of bum needs a bit of relief now and again, and also to stretch leg muscles. Your photos show a saddle with a solid central section, and tipped slightly nose-up - that'd give *me* numb nuts, too!

Phil B
Clifton CC York

David167

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by PhilBixby</i>



David - if you've got a saddle with a gap up the middle (like the Toupe) and if you're positioned on it right, so your perineum is over the gap, you really shouldn't get numb nuts. You might find the area under your sit bones will grumble at first, but nothing should be touching your perineum and hence nerves and blood-flow to your privates should be okay. I still get out of the saddle and stretch occasionally, but it's simply because sitting on the same (small) area of bum needs a bit of relief now and again, and also to stretch leg muscles. Your photos show a saddle with a solid central section, and tipped slightly nose-up - that'd give *me* numb nuts, too!

Phil B
Clifton CC York
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Phil, Yeah I understand what you are saying, however I have the Toupe saddle now (those pics aren't up to date and the ground where they were taken isn't straight so the saddle appears to be pointing up but trust me it isn't) and it's definately an excellent saddle but i still get numbness, having tried moving the saddle for and aft various times. I think it's just my physical anatomy to be honest that no saddle will completely eliminate the problem but i have found that moving your position definately helps alot (Certainly did me!).

Some Pics